Connor Jessup, 22, is a Canadian actor, best known for his role as Ben Mason on TNT’s Falling Skies. In 2012, Jessup’s performance in Blackbird earned him a “Rising Star” accolade, and he was later named one of Variety’s “Actors to Watch”. (Getty)

An Escape For Kids Who Shouldn’t Have To Escape

Los Angeles June 6, 2017—The World Famous Laugh Factory will hold tryouts for its’ 33rd annual Laugh Factory Comedy Camp on June 17, 2017 from 11am to 3pm. Tryouts are open to disadvantaged children from lower income neighborhoods who are between 9 & 16 years of age.

Created in 1984 by Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada, the Laugh Factory Comedy Camp has helped over a thousand children in need to build self-confidence by developing their humor and creativity through the healing power of laughter.

The 8 week program is free of charge for those who are selected. Previous instructors have included: Richard Pryor, Jim Carrey, Chris Rock, Bob Saget, Paul Rodriguez, Dave Chappelle, Jon Lovitz, Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler, George Lopez, Chris Tucker, and Gabriel Iglesias to name a few.

All the aspiring young comedians are interviewed and evaluated based on their desire to perform stand-up comedy. At the end of the camp, each child performs a six minute comedy set on stage in front of friends and family.

One of the camp’s incredible success stories is Tiffany Haddish, star of “The Carmichael Show,” and star of the new Will Packer Universal Pictures feature film “Girls Trip” which also stars Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pickett Smith. Based on the fantastic buzz Tiffany is receiving for this film, she was hired to co-star in the new Tracy Morgan sitcom.

In addition to Haddish, Nick Cannon is also a Laugh Factory Comedy Camp alumnae. Comedy Camp was featured in the PBS documentary, “Standup: A Summer at Comedy Camp,” which aired nationwide.

“Laughter heals and gives these kids the self-esteem to overcome obstacles that many of us don’t have to face and to accomplish whatever they set their hearts and minds to,” says Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada